Northern Michigan University, located in Marquette, Michigan, is a dynamic four-year, public, comprehensive university that has grown its reputation based on its award-winning leadership programs, cutting-edge technology initiatives and nationally recognized academic programs. Northern has a population of about 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Ask a few Northern students what drew them to our university and you will get a variety of answers. That's because there is no single thing that make students want to go to Northern; it is ALL the things that we do here. Northern is big enough to offer a wide variety of academic programs but is also small enough that every time you walk across campus, you'll probably wave "hi" to someone you know.

Curiosity is the raw ingredient of knowledge. It causes us to ask questions, to seek answers, to learn. At Northern Michigan University, natural curiosity and intellectual challenge meet in stimulating classes grounded in the liberal arts. So wherever your curiosity leads you, you can count on the support you need to take the next step, ask the next question, propose the next hypothesis.

The mission of the Northern Michigan University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Recreational Sports and the United States Olympic Training Site is to create an environment that promotes academic excellence, interpersonal growth and social development; embraces diversity; teaches lifetime leisure skills; fosters spirit and tradition; and builds a lifelong connection to NMU.

Yes, you'll attend your classes, but what else will you be doing as a student at Northern? There's so much stuff to choose from. There's a student organization or club – almost 300 at last count-- for just about every interest. If you're into investigating the paranormal, anime or improv comedy, there's a group. Cheer on your fellow Wildcats at a hockey game or volleyball match. Join a competitive club sport or an intramural team. The sky is the limit.

Upper Peninsula Indian Education Conference

The 2012 Upper Peninsula Indian Education Conference

will not be held this year.

We appreciate all the calls from people looking forward to the event.
Please check back for the date next year!

Past events:

The 15th annual
Upper Peninsula Indian Education Conference

"Engaging American Indian Youth in the Classroom and Beyond"

NMU Don H. Bottum University Center

Friday, September 30, 2011

The 2011 conference had a significant focus on suicide prevention, which included QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training. The Sault Tribe Alive Youth (STAY) Project facilitated the QPR training. Our other workshop facilitator and keynote presenter was Dr. Teresa LaFromboise, Director of Native American Studies and Professor of Education at Stanford University in Stanford, California. She also developed the American Indian Life Skills Development Curriculum, designed to reduce the number of suicide thinking and behavior.

The 15th annual UP Indian Education Conference is presented by the NMU Center for Native American Studies; the GEAR UP/College Day Program, a King*Chavez*Parks Initiative of the State of Michigan; the NMU School of Education, Leadership and Public Service; the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community; and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians' STAY Project.^

Conference 2010 was held Monday, September 13 at the University Center. We had two keynote speakers: McClellan (Mac) Hall and Keith Secola. Mac, Executive Director of the National Indian Youth Leadership Program, has over 30 years experience in youth development as a teacher, principal of two tribal schools, and as the driving force behind the National Indian Youth Leadership Program. Keith is an accomplished artist; award-winning musician, master guitarist and native flute player; singer, songwriter, composer and producer. View the 2010 Photo Highlights. View the 2010 Conference Program.

Conference 2009 was held on September 14th. The keynote presenters were Small Cook (Bernadette) and Maheengun Shawanda. The Shawanda's run outdoor learning programs through the Great Lakes Cultural Camps in Ontario. Maheengun has been working with school districts in Ontario to introduce what outdoor activities can do for student learning. We had some great speakers at last years conference. For speakers list from the 2009 conference click here and Highlights are here

Conference 2008 was held on Monday Sept. 29, 2008, on campus. Keynote speaker was D.J. Eagle Bear Vanas, an internationally acclaimed motivational speaker. Check out his presentation on Media Site Live. Several other presentations were held throughout the day including one on financial literacy for youth, Special Education, Health and 150 participants during a buffet lunch.

“The power of the Upper Peninsula Indian Education Conference lies in the strong connections it makes to all peoples in the world. Through the use of rich local cultural experiences, this conference will teach participants to value the language, art, history, and voice of every individual.”
--Dr. Joe Lubig, NMU School of Education, Leadership and Public Service

"Attending the UP Indian Education Conference has allowed me to grow as a teacher and a learner. Thanks to the wonderful presentations, I have a better understanding of how my choices as an educator can offer support or counteract bias in the classroom, especially as it relates to Native American students, cultures, or experiences."
--Dr. Kia Jane Richmond, Associate Professor of English - Secondary Education, NMU English Department

The UP Indian Educators’ Conference was one of the most worthwhile professional developments I have attended. As a future educator, it made me aware of issues in Native American inclusion in the classroom that I had not been aware of before – things that have the potential to make or break a Native American student’s academic career. I highly recommend this conference to any and all education majors!
--Jen Howell, NMU graduate